19 for ’19: The most intriguing Washington athletes for the upcoming year

Par The Athletic Seattle Staff9 jan 201912

Washington state did a lot of winning in 2018. (Washington State did, too.)

Stewie and the Storm claimed a championship in dominant fashion. Coach Pete’s Huskies rode a stingy defense to a Pac-12 title and a Rose Bowl berth. Spurred by a key signing, the Sounders again surged in the second half. The Seahawks ran their way back into the postseason before running out of gas. With a shooting star at quarterback, the Cougars put together arguably the greatest season in program history. A new coach brought new hope to UW hoops. And the Mariners … well, it was a fun first half, at least.

2019 figures to be a year of transition. The M’s won’t contend after “reimagining” their roster in the offseason by dealing away the majority of their proven players. Chris Petersen needs to replace all-time greats at quarterback and running back, as well as a large chunk of the defensive backfield. The Cougs aren’t sure who will line up behind center, and Pete Carroll and the...